For You
If you have been sexually abused or raped, there is help for you. Whether it happened an hour ago, a month ago or many years ago, you need to find someone to help you walk through the journey to hope and healing. Here is a list of places to start so that you can begin to put your life together again and move forward.

If you are not ready to speak to someone in person, RAINN.org online hotline is completely safe and confidential. This is the best place to start when you don’t know if you can speak about your situation yet.

For a Friend or Loved One
If someone you know or love has been a victim of sexual abuse or rape, you may feel helpless. However, there are things you can do to support and help the victim on a path to recovery and hope. Keep in mind the following:

Listen, be very patient and don’t be judgmental.

Be careful not to put pressure on the victim to do things he/she may not want to do or can’t do yet. Allow time for the individual to process and work through things at a self-determined pace.

Look for signs of depression and suicide. Do not leave the victim alone if you suspect suicidal tendencies.

Encourage the victim to report the rape or sexual violence to law enforcement (call 911 in most areas). Offer to accompany the individual to the hospital or police station.

Encourage contact with one of the hotlines, but realize that the victim must get help when ready to talk about the experience.

It is very hard to watch a friend or family member go through this experience. Even if the victim does not want help, you can use one of the services listed above to help you get ideas about what you can do to help your friend or loved one through the recovery process.